Hall of Fame Baseball Player Tony Gwynn Dies at 54: San Diego Padres

Share this:

Outfielder Tony Gwynn #19 of the San Diego Padres poses for a studio portrait on Photo Day during Spring Training in 1999 at the Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona. Mandatory (Credit Todd Warshaw /Allsport via Getty Images)

Hall of Fame Baseball Player Tony Gwynn Dies at 54: San Diego Padres

Outfielder Tony Gwynn #19 of the San Diego Padres poses for a studio portrait on Photo Day during Spring Training in 1999 at the Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona. Mandatory (Credit Todd Warshaw /Allsport via Getty Images)

Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn has passed away at the age of 54, the San Diego Padres confirmed on Monday.

“We are terribly sad to say goodbye to our teammate, our friend and a legend, Tony Gwynn. Rest in peace, Mr. Padre,” a tweet from the Padres said.

During his 20-year career with the Padres, Gwynn, an outfielder, banged out 3,141 hits, batted .338, won eight National League batting titles and was a 15-time All Star. He also won five Golden Gloves.

Nicknamed “Mr. Padre,” Gwynn played in the franchise’s only two World Series appearances.

Gwynn, who was drafted by the Padres out of San Diego State University, began his career with the team in 1982.

In a rarity, he was with the same team his entire career, playing his last season for the Padres in 2001.

Gwynn was inducted into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, the first year he was eligible for the honor. The Padres retired Gwynn’s no. 19 jersey in 2004.

His son, Tony Gwynn Jr., a Major League Baseball player who is currently an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, tweeted about his father after news of his death broke.

“Today I lost my Dad, my best friend and my mentor. I’m gonna miss u so much pops. I’m gonna do everything in my power to continue to make u proud,” he said, adding, “Love u pops!”

The baseball legend most recently served as the head coach of San Diego State’s baseball team, a position he held for 12 seasons, according to San Diego State’s athletic website.

“Our hearts are heavy today,” the university tweeted. “RIP Tony Gwynn. Thoughts to the entire Gwynn family and SDSU Baseball family.”